DIGITAL ECOSYSTEMS IN UNIVERSITIES: MODELS, APPROACHES, AND TOOLS

Abstract

The article explores the concept of a university digital ecosystem as an integrated, adaptive environment that consolidates ICT infrastructure, digital platforms, services, users, and data to support core academic, research, and administrative processes in higher education. In the context of ongoing digital transformation, such ecosystems play a pivotal role in enhancing institutional resilience, agility, and innovation potential. The study reviews key conceptual approaches to the development of digital ecosystems, including systems-based, platform-oriented, ontological, and open ecosystem frameworks, each offering specific benefits depending on institutional strategy, context, and technological maturity. Governance models are analyzed through the lens of control distribution: centralized, decentralized, hybrid, project-based, and user-centered configurations are compared with regard to flexibility, integration, and responsiveness. A variety of digital architecture types—modular, microservice-based, service-oriented (SOA), platform-centric, hybrid, and data-driven—are presented and evaluated in terms of scalability, interoperability, and implementation complexity. The technological foundation of modern ecosystems includes cloud computing, artificial intelligence, big data analytics, and the Internet of Things, all of which support personalized learning, automation, and data-informed decision-making. The article outlines a phased project methodology for ecosystem development, encompassing stakeholder engagement, architectural planning, system integration, cybersecurity, and iterative deployment. A practical case involving an economic university is examined, illustrating the implementation of a hybrid ecosystem based on Microsoft 365 Education, integrated with LMS, CRM, research, and communication tools. The paper concludes that building a digital ecosystem requires strong leadership, institutional commitment, qualified cross-functional teams, and a long-term vision. Digital ecosystems should be seen not as one-time solutions, but as evolving frameworks that enable continuous innovation, international competitiveness, and sustainable growth in the academic environment.